McLean County Times

Doug Collins has been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, joining a distinguished group that includes basketball's founder James Naismith and legendary player Michael Jordan. This recognition is considered one of the highest honors in basketball.

Collins' career spans various roles within the sport, including being an All-American at Illinois State, an NBA top draft pick, an Olympian in 1972, and playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. He also coached teams such as the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards and worked as a broadcaster for major networks like ABC/ESPN and NBC.

At a press conference on Saturday, Collins shared insights into his career journey. "I think I have an inerrant gene that if I do something, I want to be the best at it," he said. Reflecting on his early years, he added, "As a young person, I never was afraid to fail."

Collins attributed much of his development to Coach Will Robinson, whom he described as a mentor who provided wisdom and toughness. "I've always developed relationships with older men because I like wisdom," Collins stated when discussing his decision to play under Robinson.

A statue outside CEFCU Arena commemorates Collins' relationship with Robinson. "It's not a basketball story," Collins explained. "It's a white kid from Benton, Illinois meeting this black man from Detroit... It's a love story."

The 2024 Hall of Fame class includes other notable figures such as Chauncey Billups and Vince Carter. Collins remains celebrated at Illinois State for his record-setting achievements in scoring and field goals.

In addition to this latest honor, Collins received the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2009 and was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is located in Springfield, Massachusetts. It is dedicated to preserving basketball history through its museum and annual Enshrinement Ceremony.